Yongrae wasn't born a merman, and he wasn't even born in South Korea. The truth of the matter is that he was born in the communist country of North Korea.

     When he was probably about eleven years old, he found a moon pool. He was out and about where he wasn't really supposed to be, and he fell in when the water began bubbling. The next day he discovered that he could grow a tail that looked just like a merman's.

     He kept this a secret from everybody. He didn't even tell his parents about it.

     One day, his parents were found out to be Christians, so they were taken by the communist leaders and imprisoned. Yongrae was eventually given news that they were dead. He wasn't sure if it was true or not, as communists would usually torture a Christian very brutally without killing them, but he honestly hoped that it was true so that they'd be put out of their misery.

     After he formed a plan in his mind, he managed to get outside and by the water. He jumped in and swam to safety, escaping from North Korea to South Korea, where he met the pod he now lives with.

     He's not one to keep secrets from them, so he did share his past with them, of course. Despite what happened, he's at peace. He is sure his parents are now in a better place where they'll spend eternity in perfection, and he believes that, one day, he'll see them again.